Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill
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Maighread in Cork, 2005
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill |
| Born | 1955 (age 69–70) Kells, County Meath, Ireland |
| Genres | Irish traditional Celtic Folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | Gael-Linn Records |
| Associated acts | Skara Brae, T with the Maggies |
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, born in 1955, is a famous Irish traditional singer. She comes from Kells, County Meath, in Ireland. Maighréad is well-known for her work with the band Skara Brae. She also often sings with her sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and other talented musicians. She has also performed with the West Ocean String Quartet.
Maighréad is part of a special Celtic music group called T with the Maggies. This group also includes her sister Tríona, Moya Brennan, and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. They released their first album in October 2010.
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About Maighréad's Early Life
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill grew up in Kells, a town in Ireland. Her family spoke Irish, which is the native language of Ireland. In the 1930s, some Irish-speaking families moved to Meath. This was part of a plan to create a new Gaeltacht area, which is a place where Irish is the main language.
Her father's family came from Rann na Feirste, a place in County Donegal where Irish is spoken. Because of this, Maighréad and her siblings, Tríona, Éamonn, Mícheál, and Conall, all grew up speaking Irish.
A Family of Musicians
Maighréad comes from a very musical family. Her father was known for collecting old songs and writing new ones. Her aunt, Néillí Ní Dhomhnaill, also collected many traditional songs. Music was a big part of their family life.
Maighréad's Music Career
Maighréad first became known as a member of the band Skara Brae. The group included her brother Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, her sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, and Dáithí Sproule. Skara Brae only made one album, but it is still considered a classic.
Skara Brae's Unique Sound
Skara Brae was special because they were the first to combine traditional Irish songs with guitars. This was a new way to play Irish language music, mixing it with a pop music style. Maighréad felt it was important for people to know how this style started. She even encouraged the record company, Gael Linn, to re-release their album.
Solo Albums and Collaborations
Most of the songs on Maighréad's solo albums are sung in Irish. Her brother Mícheál and sister Tríona played with her on albums like No Dowry and Idir an da Sholas.
Her first album came out in 1976. At that time, her name was spelled Mairéad Ní Dhomhnaill. Later, she went back to the original spelling of her first name, "Maighread." She also used "Maighréad" for a while but then removed the accent mark.
Maighréad's Personal Life
For a time, Maighréad took a break from music. She studied nursing and focused on raising her two children in Dublin. She worked part-time as a theatre nurse at Mount Carmel hospital in Dublin, often working at night. She really enjoyed her work in the hospital.
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill is married to Cathal Goan. He used to be the Director-General of Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), which is Ireland's national public broadcaster.
Maighréad's Albums
Here are some of the albums Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill has been a part of:
- Maighréad Ní Dhomnaill (1976)
- Gan Dhá Phingin Spré (No Dowry) (1991)
- Idir an Dá Sholas with Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and Dónal Lunny (1999)
- Ceol Cheann Dubhrann (Various artists, 2009)
- Ae Fond Kiss with the West Ocean String Quartet
- T with the Maggies (2010)
